Modesto provides budget info on its website

The city of Modesto has added a feature to its website that allows the public to learn more about the city’s budget. The feature is at www.modestogov.com/fin/opengov and provides users a wealth of information, on such topics as overtime spending and the police budget.

Users can use what are called “filters” to call up information about specific city funds and operations. They also can send questions to the city, which the city will post on the site under what it calls “views.” Some of the views now on the site include questions about the annual general fund subsidy to the golf fund.

Questions can be sent to the city by clicking on the upside down triangle next to the “Help” link in the upper right corner. Click on “Contact City of Modesto” after you have clicked on the triangle to send your questions.

Modesto is paying OpenGov $14,000 annually for the service. City officials have said it is part of Modesto’s effort to be more transparent and provide more information to the public.

OpenGov provides this service to more than 275 governments – such as cities, counties and special districts – in 37 states and two Canadian provinces, according to information on its website.

This story was originally published July 4, 2015 at 5:17 PM with the headline "Modesto provides budget info on its website."